Despite a pair of losses, the Pella wrestling team brought a number of positives away from last night’s season opening double dual at Newton. Nearly every wrestler for the Little Dutch won at least one match, as Pella was defeated 54-21 by Newton and 52-30 by Des Moines Lincoln. Pella’s toughest opponent was open weight classes, as the Little Dutch were forced to forfeit several matches.

Head Coach Joe Burch said he was particularly pleased by performances from David Wiley, Jesse Blauw and Wes Hoksbergen at 119, 171 and 215 pounds, respectively; as each wrestler pinned one of their two opponents. Pella continues the wrestling season on Saturday at Dallas Center-Grimes.